Major technology companies are accelerating their push toward passwordless authentication, building on years of collaborative efforts through the FIDO Alliance to replace traditional passwords with more secure methods. The movement gained significant momentum in 2023 when Microsoft implemented its passkey authentication system, following similar moves by Apple and Google.
HID Global has introduced a next-generation FIDO passkey solution featuring an Enterprise Passkey Management (EPM) platform designed for large-scale passwordless deployment. The platform enables centralized lifecycle management of credentials, including provisioning, monitoring, and revocation. “Phishing-resistant authentication isn’t one-size-fits-all. It’s a journey, and we’re here to help enterprises along the way,” said Sean Dyon, HID’s VP and Head of Authentication Business Unit. The launch follows HID’s earlier developments in FIDO-certified hardware authenticators.
In a significant policy shift, Microsoft has announced that starting September 1, 2025, all logins to key Azure and Microsoft services will require Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) or stronger methods such as passwordless or passkey authentication. The requirement affects the Azure Portal, Entra admin center, Intune admin center, Azure CLI, PowerShell, and other critical tools. The timing matches Microsoft’s broader strategy to phase out password support in its Authenticator app by August 2025.
1Kosmos, which has established itself as a leader in passwordless authentication and identity verification, has secured $57 million in Series B funding. The investment follows the company’s impressive growth trajectory, having tripled its customer base in 2021 amid rising demand for passwordless solutions.
Research from the FIDO Alliance indicates that 87 percent of enterprises are transitioning toward passkey technology. However, complexity and cost remain significant considerations for organizations yet to implement passwordless solutions. The emergence of centralized management platforms, such as HID’s EPM and Thales’ enterprise FIDO passkey management solution, addresses these challenges by providing audit trails, revocation controls, and compliance support.
The integration of biometric authentication methods, including fingerprint and facial recognition, represents a central component of these initiatives, offering phishing-resistant alternatives to traditional passwords while maintaining user convenience. The approach has gained additional urgency following recent FBI and CISA warnings about messaging vulnerabilities, which specifically recommend phishing-resistant authentication methods.
Sources: Asia Biz Today, Communications Today, EK, Mobile ID World, Security Review Magazine
